So the trip has now truly started since Jane joined me in Ramsgate on the 15 of July. Dispite us being raring to go, the weather had other plans and, we remained storm bound until the 17th. Kathy our 1st visitor came for a fun night out and after a lot of bottles of wine we headed for our pre Thames Estuary sleep!

We left Ramsgate at 03.30 as Jane had been up for Hours too excited to sleep! The trip accross the estury was fairly unexciting and due to crap wind we motored most of the way to Harwich.

I cant think of much to report about Harwich other than Craines which loomed over us in a slightly over sized Garaffe way.

From There we again motored in no wind to Lowerstoft. The most noitable part of the trip being the time it took us to go past sizewell B with the tide against us, it seemed like it took all day! As we tied up James our 2nd visitor walked along the pontoon. Another alcoholic evening later and we are truly relaxed.

The next day after emptying the boat to dry out everything ( she leaks, a bit) we set off on a beautilful walk through the broads and onto the beach at Southwold. Highly recomended even in the Guardian Great walks Guide!

Our next trip was an over nighter to Grimby. Thankfully we missed the tide into the Humber and had to anchor off til it changed, I awoke to hear splashing noises and looking our was amazed to be confronted with the heads of 20 seals. For 2 hours they played about the boat using the sea anchor as a hat being their favourate game! Definately the high light so far........